How do I eat this? A guide to difficult foods

Some of the tastiest foods might require assistance or, at least, instructions. To offer a helping hand, local food-industry experts provide eating directions for six baffling bites.

By Cutlines by Mark Dore and Valentino Lucio; Compiled by Merrisa Brown

Photo: William Luther/San Antonio Express-News

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Trying to figure out how to eat some foods can be utterly perplexing and a bit intimidating. Some of the tastiest foods might require assistance or, at least, instructions. To offer a helping hand, local food-industry experts provide eating directions for six baffling bites. less

Trying to figure out how to eat some foods can be utterly perplexing and a bit intimidating. Some of the tastiest foods might require assistance or, at least, instructions. To offer a helping hand, local ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

Trying to figure out how to eat some foods can be utterly... Photo-6708762.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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Edamame: Eat edamame by putting the whole pod in your mouth, and then pull out the seeds with your teeth.

Edamame: Eat edamame by putting the whole pod in your mouth, and then pull out the seeds with your teeth.

Lobster: To get the most meat, the crustacean needs to be disassembled into sections, says John Russ, executive chef at Lüke restaurant. Pull the head from the tail, which has a layer that can be peeled away to expose the succulent meat. Model Eve Korun demonstrates. less

Lobster: To get the most meat, the crustacean needs to be disassembled into sections, says John Russ, executive chef at Lüke restaurant. Pull the head from the tail, which has a layer that can be peeled away ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

Lobster: To get the most meat, the crustacean needs to be... Photo-6708755.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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Then, remove the claws from the body. Once the claw is removed, wiggle the small pincer until it separates.
Finally, use a lobster cracker or nutcracker to break the claw,
shielding it with your free hand to keep juices and lobster bits from
flying across the room. Model Eve Korun demonstrates. less

Then, remove the claws from the body. Once the claw is removed, wiggle the small pincer until it separates.
Finally, use a lobster cracker or nutcracker to break the claw,
shielding it with your free hand ... more

Photo: Photos By William Luther / San Antonio Express-News

Then, remove the claws from the body. Once the claw is removed,... Photo-6697363.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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At that point, the meat can be removed and
eaten, as model Eve Korun demonstrates.

At that point, the meat can be removed and
eaten, as model Eve Korun demonstrates.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

At that point, the meat can be removed and
eaten, as model Eve... Photo-6708745.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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Crab legs: These gangly bites can be imposing with their hard, spiky shells. But once you bust through the formidable exterior, a delectable surprise awaits inside.

Crab legs: These gangly bites can be imposing with their hard, spiky shells. But once you bust through the formidable exterior, a delectable surprise awaits inside.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

Crab legs: These gangly bites can be imposing with their hard,... Photo-6692295.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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“It's best to use a pair of scissors to take the meat out of the shell,” said John Russ, executive chef at Lüke. “It's always fun, nice and exciting to bash things with a hammer and crack them and make a big mess. However, it doesn't leave you with a lot of meat to actually use.” less

“It's best to use a pair of scissors to take the meat out of the shell,” said John Russ, executive chef at Lüke. “It's always fun, nice and exciting to bash things with a hammer and crack them and make a ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

“It's best to use a pair of scissors to take the meat out of... Photo-6708751.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pomegranate: The tricky part with a pomegranate is removing the seeds, which are eaten whole. “To take the seeds out of a pomegranate, you're going to need a bowl, a knife and a big spoon,” says H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel. “All you're going to do is cut the pomegranate in half, give it a little squeeze and pull it apart just a little bit.” less

Pomegranate: The tricky part with a pomegranate is removing the seeds, which are eaten whole. “To take the seeds out of a pomegranate, you're going to need a bowl, a knife and a big spoon,” says H-E-B ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

Pomegranate: The tricky part with a pomegranate is removing the... Photo-6692292.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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“Then, you're going to turn the pomegranate upside down and hit it with the back of the spoon and the seeds will pop right out of the bottom. And then you just remove the white pith,” says H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel. less

“Then, you're going to turn the pomegranate upside down and hit it with the back of the spoon and the seeds will pop right out of the bottom. And then you just remove the white pith,” says H-E-B culinary ... more

Artichoke: This edible thistle can be intimidating for the uninitiated.

Artichoke: This edible thistle can be intimidating for the uninitiated.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

Artichoke: This edible thistle can be intimidating for the... Photo-6697115.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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“All you need to do is remove the outer leaves and scrape the tender meat off with your teeth,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel says.

“All you need to do is remove the outer leaves and scrape the tender meat off with your teeth,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel says.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

“All you need to do is remove the outer leaves and scrape the... Photo-6692011.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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“As you get to the center, the leaves will get more tender and easier to eat. Once you've exhausted all the leaves around the artichoke, then you get the center,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel says. less

“As you get to the center, the leaves will get more tender and easier to eat. Once you've exhausted all the leaves around the artichoke, then you get the center,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte ... more

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

“As you get to the center, the leaves will get more tender and... Photo-6708760.91363 - San Antonio Express-News

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“This would be your artichoke heart, and you just peel that away and eat it,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel says.

“This would be your artichoke heart, and you just peel that away and eat it,” H-E-B culinary nutritionist Charlotte Samuel says.

Photo: William Luther, San Antonio Express-News

“This would be your artichoke heart, and you just peel that away... Photo-6692012.91363 - San Antonio Express-News